Who are the top ten highest-rated winners of the King George VI Chase?

Click here to add us to your Google preferred sources or find out more here

The Ladbrokes King George VI Chase, one of the most anticipated races on the jumps scene, is fast approaching.

We take a look at the top ten highest rated winners of the King George, according to the best ratings of their careers.

10. Best Mate

The 2002 edition ran like clockwork for Gold Cup hero Best Mate, who never looked in trouble, even with Marlborough fighting on gamely to the line.

Best Mate: claiming glory in the King GeorgeCredit: Racing Post/Scott Burton

Henrietta Knight’s star had been narrowly beaten the year before but arrived here with one winning prep run from two starts that season and ended the previous season with a Cheltenham Gold Cup victory, it was no surprise he was sent off favourite.

Nicky Henderson’s Marlborough put in a determined effort in the home straight and was hard ridden to take the lead. The pair jumped the last together, but Best Mate proved too strong and would eventually go on to win three Gold Cups during his career.

9. One Man

One of the most famous chasers, One Man was a wonderful grey who brought immense joy to racing fans, none more so than with his back-to-back King George victories in 1995 and 1996 — both staged in the same calendar year.

Trained by Gordon Richards, One Man is one of the very few horses to win the race twice in the same year, though that is largely due to the unusual circumstances, with the 1995 King George rescheduled and run at Sandown in early January 1996 because of frost. 

Nonetheless, that takes nothing away from his achievements, as his two victories came by a combined margin of more than 20 lengths. Owned by the late John Hale, his first victory was a joy to watch and, once he took the lead, he always looked firmly in control.

8. Cue Card 

Colin Tizzard sent Cue Card for his fourth crack at the King George in 2015, having finished fifth the year before, and this competitive edition was no disappointment for racegoers.

Cue Card (right): pounces late to beat VautourCredit: Edward Whitaker

Turning for home, it looked all to play for. Cue Card had been steadily tracking Willie Mullins’ Vautour and the favourite Don Cossack, who was second arriving at the penultimate fence before falling. 

Cue Card wasted no time in seizing the opportunity at hand. Rallied approaching the final fence, Paddy Brennan never gave up on the nine-year-old, who snatched victory from Vautour by a head in the dying strides.

7. Long Run

Long Run gave trainer Nicky Henderson his first victory in the race, and two years later he would strike again, though the 12-length romp in 2011 was most impressive.

Long Run: Cheltenham Gold Cup winner the previous seasonCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

It was the six-year-old’s run in the race that denied Kauto Star a fifth consecutive victory, and it was remarkable in its own right that Kauto Star finished third after almost unseating AP McCoy two fences from home.

It was also a controversial year for the contest, which took place 20 days after Boxing Day due to frost, but Kauto Star ended his losing streak and the delayed scheduling should not detract from Long Run landing his second Grade 1 success at Kempton.

The remarkable performance, which featured flawless jumping, saw Long Run never looking in trouble and, after the last, pulling clear to win by an impressive margin.

6. Burrough Hill Lad

Jenny Pitman enjoyed plenty of success with the top-rated Burrough Hill Lad, and his King George victory in 1984 perfectly showcased his grit and determination.

Jenny Pitman: trainer of Burrough Hill LadCredit: Edward Whitaker

It was far from an easy affair. The flat, sharp track did not play to his strengths, but he produced a resolute effort alongside Combs Ditch, with the pair locked in battle throughout the race.

They landed the last together, but on the run to the line Burrough Hill Lad knuckled down to snatch victory from Combs Ditch by a short head.

5. Captain Christy

Two-time King George winner Captain Christy delivered a courageous victory in the 1975 edition.

Captain Christy: was best known for winning the Gold Cup as a novice alongside his two King George'sCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

The Fulke Walwyn-trained runner was prone to erratic jumping, which at times overshadowed his brilliance, but he was still one of the best chasers of the 1970s. In his first season over fences, he was unbeaten, including victory in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

His second King George win proved to be one of his final appearances, and it came in dazzling style. Relentless from the front, he made all to crush the 174-rated Bula by 30 lengths, with many racing fans hailing it as one of the finest chasing performances since Arkle retired.

4. Mill House

Mill House’s victory in the 1963 King George was one of the most commanding performances ever seen at Kempton, firmly establishing him as the leading chaser of his era.

Mill House: pictured taking the final fence to win the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup by eight lengths at Newbury in 1963Credit: Getty Images

Trained by Fulke Walwyn and ridden by Pat Taaffe, Mill House went into the race already regarded as top-class, but what followed was sheer domination. He made all the running, jumped with ruthless precision, and by the time they turned for home, the race was effectively over and he won by an astonishing 33 lengths.

The powerhouse was one of the very best in training, though his career was later overshadowed by Arkle. The pair went head-to-head in the 1964 Cheltenham Gold Cup, where Mill House was beaten by five lengths by the great champion.

3. Desert Orchid 

Owner-breeder Jimmy Burridge hit the jackpot with Desert Orchid, perhaps better known as Dessie.

Simon Sherwood and Dessie in harmony as they land the 1988 King George at Kempton

The impressive grey won the King George VI Chase four times, but his final victory in the race in 1990 was a truly momentous occasion.

By that point, Dessie had already collected a remarkable haul of prestigious trophies, including the Irish Grand National, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the Tingle Creek, and many more.

He is one of just three eleven-year-olds to win the race, and he had his doubters before the off, having been beaten in his two prep runs, with his 12th birthday looming. Those doubts were soon silenced, however, as age proved to be just a number in a dominant 12-length success.

2. Kauto Star

No horse has won the King George VI Chase more times than Kauto Star, and the 16-time Grade 1 winner’s 2009 victory was one of the finest of his career and a record-setting performance.

Kauto Star: raised the roof with his fifth and final King George win at Kempton in 2011

He sat just off the pace, always looming, before moving into second after the seventh fence. As they swung for home, he bounded almost completely clear. His previous winning margins in the race had never exceeded 11 lengths.

On this occasion, he won by a staggering 36 lengths. A record for the race which led Kauto Star to produce an RPR of 191. 

1. Arkle 

The three-time Gold Cup winner Arkle’s King George victory in 1965 is hard to forget.

Arkle and Pat Taaffe soar over Kempton's birch to land the 1965 King George VI ChaseCredit: Chris Smith

Trained by Tom Dreaper, Arkle had already established himself as a remarkable horse ahead of the race, but his emphatic 20-length victory cemented his status as one of the all-time greats.

When watching the replay, it quickly becomes clear just how much his advantage over the field grows, as he dominates from the very start.

One of the highest-class chasers in horse racing history, the superstar won 27 of his 35 starts, including landing a famous hat-trick in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.